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Xenoturbella

Xenoturbella is a genus of bilaterian animals; it contains two marine worm-like species. The first known species (Xenoturbella bocki) was discovered in 1915 by Sixten Bock but the first published description was only in 1949 by Einar Westblad.[1]

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Its taxonomic position has been considered enigmatic since its discovery. Earlier it was suspected to be closely related to molluscs (Noren & Jondelius, 1997), but it turned out that the DNA analysis of this study was contaminated with DNA from molluscs which Xenoturbella may have eaten (Bourlat et al., 2003; Israelsson & Budd, 2006). The genus is now the sole member of its own phylum Xenoturbellida (Haszprunar et al., 1991; Bourlat et al., 2006), and there is strong support from both morphological and molecular studies for a close relationship with Acoelomorpha.[2][3][4][5]

A 2003 DNA study positioned Xenoturbella as a primitive deuterostome outside the established phyla (Bourlat et al., 2003). The deuterostome affiliations were recently corroborated by studies that indicate a basal position of this phylum within the deuterostomes [6][7] or a sister group relationship with the echinoderms and hemichordates.[8] However, some consider the evidence for a position within deuterostomes weak and favor the placement of Xenoturbella + Acoelomorpha more basally among Metazoa.[9]

Xenoturbella has a very simple body plan: it has no brain, no through gut, no excretory system, no organized gonads (but does have gametes; eggs and embryos occur in follicles [Israelsson and Budd]), or any other defined organs except for a statocyst containing flagellated cells; it has cilia and a diffuse nervous system. The animal is up to 4 centimetres (1.6 in) long, and has been found off the coasts of Sweden, Scotland and Iceland.[10]

The association of specimens of Xenoturbella with mollusc larva has led many to suggest that they are molluscivores. However, a more radical interpretation, of this and other data, is that the Xenoturbella larval stage develops as an internal parasite of certain molluscs.[11]

Eggs of Xenoturbella are 0.2 mm wide, pale orange and opaque.[5] Newly hatched embryos are free-swimming (tending to stay close to water surface) and ciliated. They feature no mouth and they do not apparently feed.[5] They are similar to the larvae of acoelomate Neochildia fusca[5]